Charles M. Harper Sr.

Bro. Charles M. Harper, Sr. is a well respected Masonic author and speaker.  He is a regular contributor to Living Stones Magazine and has had numerous articles published in various Illinois and national Masonic publications.

His personal journey in Freemasonry is one that is unfortunately not unique, but also not widely known.  After petitioning a irregular lodge in 2004 and becoming a clandestine Master Mason in 2005, and ultimately becoming informed and educated about the irregularity of his masonic standing by his father and other notable masons, with determination to seek the truth, the author traveled a road through history, philosophy and racism. Being a man of bi-racial heritage, both black and white, he learned of things not spoken of in mixed company, or publicly until the age of the internet where masons from one side of the world and have begun to speak with others as never before.

Looking to be a bridge builder for future generations of Freemasons in closing the social gaps between Masons, Charles has placed the lessons he has learned in writing to inspire conversations for the betterment of the fraternity of Freemasons.

See charles speak at http://vimeo.com/72629876  An open lodge lecture.

Bro. Harper has numerous Masonic memberships, and is involved in numerous Masonic activities, including:

Ancient Craft
Pleiades Lodge no. 478 (Junior Warden/Education Officer)
Illumination Lodge No. 5 (Education Officer)
Internet Lodge No. 9659, U.G.L.E
Illinois Lodge of Research (Life Member)
Illinois Academic Bowl Committee (Committee Member)
African Lodge No. 459 (Honorary Member)

Masonic Research Memberships
Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle (Perpetual Member)
The Masonic Society (Perpetual Member)
The Philalethes Society (Life Member)
Scottish rite Research Society, Southern Jurisdiction (Life Member)

York Rite
Lafayette Chapter No. 2 Royal Arch Masons  (Perpetual Member)
Chicago Council No. 4 Cryptic Masons  (Perpetual Member)
St. Bernard Commandery No. 35 Knights Templar  (Perpetual Member)
General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International (Perpetual Member)

Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois,
Foreign Relations Committee- 2011-2012
Pillar 5 member- Royal Arch Research committee- 2013 – Present
Illuminati Council no. 495, the Allied Masonic Degrees- Junior Warden, Esquire Recipient, 2013

Scottish rite
Valley of Chicago, N.M.J (Life Member)
Valley of Chicago Speakers Bureau (2011-present)
Valley of Chicago Reporters Bureau (2011-present)
Degree Work includes the 16th, 18th, 21st, & 28th Degrees
Hiram Revels Congressional Consistory No. 4142, Prince Hall Affiliated (Honorary Member)

Shrine
Medinah Shriners (Perpetual Member)
Kankakee Shrine Club (Perpetual Member)

Video Presentation:
Freemasonry in Black and White: http://vimeo.com/72629876  An open lodge lecture.

Writer:
Featured Author- Living Stones Magazine

Books

Charles has written Freemasonry in Black and White. For too long have the norms of society found its way into Freemasonry and leading men of a Masonic Lodge, instead of the beauty of Freemasonry being taught and sending this light into the world within enlightened minds that produces a better society. The knowledge found within the walls of a lodge can make a man truly a better man within his faith, a better father, son, husband and ultimately a better man for the world. There are issues, academic and social, that are preventing this process from happening in Masonic lodges today. For centuries, a Masonic Lodge has been the place of higher learning. Kings, scholars, presidents, white collar and blue collar individuals, have all advanced the beauty that the Creator of humankind, God, has innately placed within each of us. Like the power of centripetal force, goodness revolving in the center attracts goodness to it. In America, this circular motion is stalling and causes a regression in positive men emanating the beauty of the craft into society.

Quietly, the separation of men due to the darkness of America’s past hampers the liberation of each heart. A lack of the ability to invest time in each Mason, as was available in the past during the golden age of the fraternity, to instill in him the beauty of truly being a point within a circle of ALL mankind, has created a domino effect of negative repercussions that is gaining traction with the ability of masons to communicate and see masonry practiced in all parts of the world like never before. Now is the time to halt the slide and get back to the foundation and intent of the craft. No longer can we quietly hide behind the long existing reverence and mystic of the craft and hope the social issues that led to a division of men, and the lack of holding each Brethren accountable of the responsibility to Master the Craft and being truly declared a Master Builder, will quietly be held to a minimum until the Fraternity recovers by a hopeful influx of new inventive minds. These men are already here entering our lodges seeking light and finding the old ideas working against new ones. Traditions founded out of practice and not of ancient usage and logic guarding the door of true spiritual growth. Men seeking knowledge should not be outcasts within the minority.  There does exist Masonic Grand Lodges that are proactive in these departments, but they are not enough. If we are to continue to produce men that are to lead society into the beautiful humanity that God intends, and that our ancient knowledge was designed to induce, we must all be on one accord.   This book is the baring of my thoughts, mistakes and ultimately- my clarity of mind and spirit. This book is my story, my ideas, and my vision to a better social climate within the Fraternity. It is my humble experience in Black and White